Former France striker Christophe Dugarry has slammed Les Bleus coach Raymond Domenech after his team crashed out of Euro 2008 at the group stage.
Much was expected of the 2006 World Cup finalists but they finished bottom of their group with one goal after a draw against Romania and humiliating defeats to Holland and Italy.
Dugarry has placed the blame for France's disastrous tournament squarely at Domenech's door.
'Why do we look to choose the best players and never, or almost never, to take the best coach?' he told L'Equipe.
'Between Domenech's one-man shows, his conflicts, his provocations, we have the impression that his image is more important than that of the France team.
'His main preoccupation is himself.'
Dugarry, who feels his country have not had a top-class coach since they won the World Cup ten years ago, insists changes must be made quickly.
With the 2010 World Cup qualifiers fast approaching, the 36-year-old has touted former France team-mate Didier Deschamps as the ideal candidate for the job.
'The last France coach who was part of the elite of his profession was Aime Jacquet,' added Dugarry.
'We have to go ahead with someone who has a footballing pedigree.
'Football has changed a lot and the youngsters have changed. They are earning astronomic sums.
'I am sure that they listen differently to a coach who has won a lot than to a coach who has never won anything.
'I would love the new coach to be Didier Deschamps. He has a history. The youngsters will listen to him, that's for sure.
'He has the most profound respect for the blue shirt.'
